Just halfway through his Hillsdale College indoor track and field career, sophomore thrower Ben Haas is already building up a formidable legacy.
Earlier this season, Haas broke the school record in the event set in 2010 by NCAA DII Champion Jason Stomps, and on Friday at the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor Track and Field Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas, the sophomore joined another Chargers throwing legend, Aaron Falk, in becoming the only only Hillsdale College male athlete to earn All-American honors in the weight throw in back-to-back seasons.
Haas placed sixth in the weight throw on Friday to earn an All-American finish, adding to his third-place finish at the 2023 NCAA DII Indoor Championships as a freshman. The sophomore had his best throw on his second attempt, hitting a mark of 20.72 meters to surpass his best throw of 20.66 meters at the 2023 Indoor Championships.
The mark sets Haas up to potentially make history next season, and become the only thrower in Hillsdale College men's history with three All-American honors in the indoor weight throw. Three of the five finishers ahead of him are also seniors slated to graduate, including both the national champion and runner-up, which means Haas also should be a prime contender once again to become Hillsdale's first national champion in men's track and field since 2015.
First, however, Haas will compete in the Outdoor Track and Field season beginning next weekend, looking to make the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships for the first time in the shot put, hammer throw and discus.
Photo by Drew Rich